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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> How to shoot dancing motion...please help
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 03/03/2007 10:55:57 PM · #1
I am a huge fan of Irish Dancing and I photograph many of the charity events our school performs throughout the year. One of my challenge entries became a personal best for me.

This was easy enough given they were standing still, however when performing they move very fast! Included are a couple of the 164 photos I took last night.


These photos are straight from the camera (sony f828) shot in jpeg. They also represent the best I could do without a tripod (I didn't know if photography was allowed). Is there something I can do to get better shots of the girls dancing? Mind you, I am very new here, so I understand if this venue is out of my for league of advice from members.
Deb

edit: Post processing tips are appreciated too!

Message edited by author 2007-03-04 03:16:35.
 03/03/2007 10:59:28 PM · #2
Highest ISO available for the camaera. Shutter speed of 1/250 or faster.
 03/04/2007 03:17:20 AM · #3
bump...looking for help ...please
03/04/2007 02:36:37 PM · #4
Ok, Let's try this again. Set the ISO on your camera to it's highest setting. That should be I believe is 800. This equates to a "faster film." This will allow you to use a faster shutter speed and should lighten your photographs.

Set you shutter speed to at least 1/250th of a second. This will freeze the action resulting in cleaner,sharper subjects.

Finally, something I did not put in my last post. Learn to use some form of photo editing software. Post editing depends a little on the software you are using.
 03/04/2007 02:44:52 PM · #5
Unfortunatley you are working with low light. To capture motion you use a higher shutter speed. Higher shutter speed in darker light equals dark or black picture. This is countered by increasing the sensitivity to light (ISO). Shooting with the camera's Highest ISO yours is 800 will allow you to shoot at a higher shutter speed.

Issue is this REAL low light. ISO 800 isnt going to cut it leaving u wanting a different camera. Which isnt cost effective. ISO 1600 or ISO 3200 would greatly improve the visibility and reduce chances of blur. With a small sensor point and shoot noise is high. With a larger sensor camera such as yours or a dSLR they tend to have less noise then the compact point and shoots.

The best thing u can do is set it to ISO 800, put it on a tripod and use a remote trigger. Test shoot shutter speeds to see what delivers a visible picture at the highest end.

Past that all you can really do is ask the place to brighten it up a bit.
 03/04/2007 02:52:05 PM · #6
you could try a slow shutter speed with rear curtain flash this gives motion but sharpness at the point the flash is fired, Another way is to ask the organisers if you can attend a DRESS REHEARSAL that would give you the chance of a bettr photo op.
 03/04/2007 03:00:17 PM · #7
Originally posted by kiwinick:
you could try a slow shutter speed with rear curtain flash this gives motion but sharpness at the point the flash is fired, Another way is to ask the organisers if you can attend a DRESS REHEARSAL that would give you the chance of a bettr photo op.


Excellent suggestion...I was just going to suggest the slower shutter speed 2nd curtain flash approach myself.

Example here...

The example is a detail shot of a couple who were ballroom dancing.

03/04/2007 03:05:02 PM · #8
Originally posted by kiwinick:
you could try a slow shutter speed with rear curtain flash this gives motion but sharpness at the point the flash is fired, Another way is to ask the organisers if you can attend a DRESS REHEARSAL that would give you the chance of a bettr photo op.


What is a rear curtain flash?
 03/04/2007 03:23:33 PM · #9
Originally posted by gryphonslair99:

Finally, something I did not put in my last post. Learn to use some form of photo editing software. Post editing depends a little on the software you are using.


Using CS2 - which I rarely do because I am used to elements, I fiddle until the wee hours of the morning with some help from Tlemetry.
I cloned some of the stage facing and the drum set in the back ground. I rotated a bit to make the stage straight and I adjusted levels..the little eye dropper...that on my life, I never used before! Last, I sharpened once.

I have never used so many features in editing!
before


after
03/04/2007 03:51:03 PM · #10
I hate to bring bad news but your edit washed out the highlights to where u cant see the fabric from the one girls uniform.
 03/04/2007 03:59:45 PM · #11
Originally posted by RainMotorsports:
I hate to bring bad news but your edit washed out the highlights to where u cant see the fabric from the one girls uniform.


I know. I know ~~grin~~... I am still trying. I am making sure to keep the original and numbering the edits. My goal is to present something respectable to the dance school's website. While I know it's hardly quality, it is much better than what parents and friends submit. I was hoping that with enough trial and error I will be ready to shoot some nice photos at Nationals this summer.
 03/04/2007 04:02:11 PM · #12
Try this? Then burn the lower stage out of the way while ur at it.



ALso a slight try on one of th others.



Message edited by author 2007-03-04 16:04:57.
 03/04/2007 04:05:21 PM · #13
Originally posted by dsterner:
Using CS2 - which I rarely do because I am used to elements, I fiddle until the wee hours of the morning with some help from Tlemetry.
I cloned some of the stage facing and the drum set in the back ground. I rotated a bit to make the stage straight and I adjusted levels..the little eye dropper...that on my life, I never used before! Last, I sharpened once.

I have never used so many features in editing!
before


Good to see you have CS2 and some experience with it. The corrections look good. I do not know your particular camera but photoshop is probably going to be your best friend here. The problem with using a flash, at least with the photos you posted, is the flash will probably not have the power to reach the subjects to get the kind of photo you posted of the whole group. You will probably be too far away. Second curtain sync will not help if you are not close enough. While RKT's example is impmressive, the photo was also taken close to the subject. I do not see second curtain sync as an option on your particular camera, although you do have a hotshoe for an exteranl flash unit.

If this is a big passion, you might want to consider entering the DSLR world. A good entry level camera and something like a 50mm f1.4 or an 85mm f1.8 would be very useful in low light situations. If you are allowed to use a flash you can get flash units that have more power than the built in units or the externals usually made for P&S cameras. They will also have second curtain sync settings. I suggest the DSLR as an option as the only other camera option I am aware of that would fit the bill would be something like the Leica V-Lux1. At $800 and change you could get into a good DSLR with interchangeable lenses.

Message edited by author 2007-03-04 16:07:34.
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